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ARSENAL vs WEST HAM UNITED 2-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs WEST HAM UNITED 2-0

DATE : March 20th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

By Richard Clarke

Ten-man Arsenal went the top of the Premier League table with a tense 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday evening.

There seemed little problem for almost the entire first half. Denilson fired home after just five minutes and the home side went on to produce a regal display.

However a minute before the break the game changed when Thomas Vermaelen was sent off after conceding a controversial penalty. It was Arsenal's first red card in 68 games.

Although Manuel Almunia made a wonderful save from Alessandro Diamanti's spot-kick, the home team still had a nervy second half to negotiate.

They did it manfully. Apart from Carlton Cole's post-rattling drive, West Ham were kept at a distance. Arsenal sealed the win seven minutes from time when Matthew Upson handled and Cesc Fabregas fired home from the spot.

Wenger's men will drop to third if Manchester United and Chelsea both win their games on Sunday. However even draws could be damaging enough.

Arsenal simple refuse to take the easy route to the title right now. They keep on digging themselves into holes and then finding a way out.

It is heart-stopping and heartening in equal measure.

But their character is shining through.

Wenger made two changes from the side had that beaten Hull so late the previous Saturday. Fabregas (hamstring) and Alex Song (suspension) were back.

Numerically, they replaced Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna. But in actual fact, the new recruits both came into central midfield so Samir Nasri moved out to the right and Eboue filled in behind him.

This may have been the late game on Saturday but it was the earliest fixture affecting in the title race. Arsenal had been playing catch-up more often than not in recent weeks. Today they finally could put a little pressure on the others.

And it took them only five minutes to start the process.

Denilson received the ball just outside the area, exchanged passes with Bendtner and fired low in the corner. It was the Brazilian's sixth of the season in only his 20th game, not bad for a defensive midfielder.

As usual, he celebrated with a Samba.

The goal was the highlight of a brisk, open start. Bendtner's drive and Alessandro Diamanti's free-kick whistled wide at either end. In the ninth minute, Nasri's chip found Denilson in space 12 yards out. He went for the spectacular and, this time, failed.

Arsenal were fast, fluent and irresistible in the early stages. Eboue threaded a cross-shot beyond the far post through a crowded area and a delightful midfield move only ended when Bendtner's first-time pass just squirted clear of the onrushing Fabregas.

West Ham were on the back foot. Yes Junior Stanislas went clear on the right and his low cross was inches too quick for the sliding Mido. But that, and the early free-kick, was about it for the opening 44 minutes.

Despite the result at Hull last weekend, Arsenal's performance had been patchy. This was very different. Today, Wenger's men were in the groove. Everything seemed effortless. There was always a pass available when they attacked and always a block on hand when they had to defend.

As half-time approached the home team dropped intensity. Still, the only potential problem was the narrowness of the lead given their dominance.

Four minutes before the break they nearly remedied that. First Gael Clichy swept down the left and a near post flick from Fabregas dribbled across goal before Fabio Deprela dealt with the danger. Seconds later, Arshavin picked out the Spaniard at the far post but the West Ham defence were on him before he could get his shot away.

After that the half seemed happy to drift to the break.

But this thriller would end with a twist.

In the dying seconds, Arsenal lost a player and so nearly the lead.

A long ball forward caught them napping. Franco and Vermaelen tussled for the ball and the Italian muscled himself just in front of the Belgian. The Arsenal defender definitely made contact inside and outside the area but the decision was still debatable.

Certainly the penalty AND red card seemed harsh in the circumstances. But the laws of football left referee Martin Atkinson little option once he had blown for the foul.

Wenger felt passionately enough about the decision to seek out the referee as he went off at half time.

That, however, was not the immediate concern. Diamanti had won West Ham a point from the spot at Upton Park. This time he would be denied.

Almunia flung himself to his left to make the save. It was a massive moment in the game and, who knows, maybe the season.

However Wenger's men still had to negotiate the second half.

The good ship Arsenal had been sailing on a millpond for 45 minutes. The remaining 45 would be played out on choppier water.

Certainly it started that way. West Ham had early pressure but Wenger had brought back Alex Song to centre half and the reshuffled defence had enough about them to smuggle away any danger. The closest the visitors came in the opening 20 minutes of the half was a couple of pot-shots from Diamanti.

By then Arsenal had wrestled the initiative. Denilson had a long shot deflected wide and Fabregas went close with a free-kick.

Just before the hour, Wenger brought off Bendtner for Diaby and pushed Arshavin up front. An interesting move but if anything it helped Arsenal create the better chances.

Campbell forced Robert Green into a smothering save with a towering header from Fabregas' free-kick. Twelve minutes from time, Arshavin weaved his way into the area and again force the West Ham keeper into action.

By now Zola had brought on Benny McCarthy and Carlton Cole. He was cranking up all the pressure he could muster.

The latter bundled through the Arsenal defence and fired a low shot against the outside of the far post.

With 10 minutes left the game was in the balance. It was the type of situation in which Wenger's men had buckled in the past.

Yet again this team showed they are made of stronger stuff.

Upson handled Fabregas' just inside the area as the captain tried to clip a pass through to Eboue. This time the decision was obvious and Fabregas buried the penalty.

This was another triumph in adversity, another display of guts and spirit.

But that is standard fare for Arsenal right now and if they continue it until May 9 they might just keep their current position.

* Vermaelen is expected to receive a one-match ban and will miss the trip to Birmingham next Saturday

WENGER REACTION :

On the 2-0 victory...
"I believe we had an outstanding game. We played with class and spirit and we kept our nerve when the situation became difficult. So overall we have shown a good attitude, good maturity, and in the important moments in any department we were decisive. I think about the goalkeeper, I think about when we had to move Alex Song to centre back, everybody adapted very well to the situation and technically I believe we were outstanding today."

On West Ham's penalty and Thomas Vermaelen's red card...
"I was upset about both. I felt it was very harsh. We have seen this situation so many times in the game without it being punished at all."

On Manchester United and Chelsea's games on Sunday...
"What we can do is win our games and watch the games in a relaxed way tomorrow and see what happens. We knew a long time ago we had to win our games and we do that in a very, very pleasant way because we play our game and when we have to calm it down we do it. We have improved on the maturity side of our game, when we have to accelerate we can still find the resources and overall I believe what happened today will only add to our belief and our quality in the future games."

On Manuel Almunia...
"He has taken a lot of stick, not always justified I believe. He had a few problems at the start of the season but in the last two or three months I have found him to be outstanding and credit to him, he has silenced the critics."

On the Premier League title race...
"We are not under any special pressure because we are beyond expectation. We want to win the trophy because we are all conscious we have won nothing yet and the hunger is there, the talent is there and I think the nerves are there. So all we can do is rely on the other results of the other teams, so the only thing we can do is master our own results. When you are a footballer you always want to win championships and trophies. People don't realise how young we are. This team will win, the sooner the better. We have a good chance to do it this year. It will be exciting, tight and the response we gave today in the second half was very important in future games."

On Vermaelen's suspension and William Gallas' injury...
"I hope it won't be a problem but we cannot continue to lose centre-backs, that is for sure. You cannot have six centre-backs at a football club because that doesn't make sense. So at the moment we don't have Gallas and today we have lost Vermaelen. Sol Campbell was outstanding but to repeat the games could become a problem for him so I think I have to give him a big holiday next week to recover. He is very important to us and I think it was a very good signing.
"Everybody said I didn't sign anybody and now you can see that I signed somebody. His experience is vital in the dressing room. You need it especially when we get to the period we are in, it's important you have players like Campbell and Almunia who are very influential. They have done it before so players listen to them."

On Alex Song dropping to centre-back...
"I think he was absolutely outstanding. It looked so easy to him to play in this position. I know he can play there, but he was outstanding in midfield earlier in the game. I have no fear to continue with him at centre-back."

On if his side needed the adversity in the match...
"I agree with you. I must say we lost our urgency. I think they were a bit distracted by all the fuss about the draw yesterday. We had not the right urgency. When we were down to 10 men we became more urgent in the second half."

On Robin Van Persie...
"I think he will be back this week. We sent our fitness coach out to Holland where he has been having his rehabilitation. Physically he looks very sharp but we aim at least to wait a month."

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, pakman, waldek83_1983, MacGuyver, andybg

ARSENAL VS FC PORTO 5-0

Labels: Champions League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL VS FC PORTO 5-0

DATE : March 09th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

DOWNLOAD ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner - 10" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner - 25" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Samir Nasri - 63" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Manu Eboue - 66" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner (pen) - 90" or Mirror Here

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs FC Porto Highlights Match First Half or Here
Download Arsenal vs FC Porto Highlights Match First Half or Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs FC Porto Full Match First Half or Mirror Here or Here
Download Arsenal vs FC Porto Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here or Here

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Nicklas Bendtner grabbed a timely hat-trick as Arsenal reached the Champions League Quarter-Finals by overwhelming Porto 5-0 at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Dane had been profligate against Burnley at the weekend but he hit the mark early on this evening and never looked back.

Andrey Arshavin set him up for goals on 10 and 25 minutes. That overturned Porto’s 2-1 advantage from the first leg, yet the visitors still had enough about them to ask serious questions of Arsenal at the start of the second half.

But, just past the hour, a superlative strike from Samir Nasri broke their hearts. Three minutes later, substitute Emmanuel Eboue stole a runaway fourth and Bendtner grabbed a personal third from the penalty spot in injury time.

This could have been a nervous night for Arsenal but, in the end, it was nothing of the sort.

They reached the last eight of the Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons with something to spare.

Wenger’s men are riding the crest of a winning wave right now – and this result will only help.

However bigger tests lie ahead.

The Frenchman made five changes from the side that had beaten Burnley on Saturday. Four of them seemed to be rotation - Eboue, Mikael Silvestre, Denilson and Theo Walcott for Bacary Sagna, Sol Campbell, Abou Diaby and Arshavin. The only new availability was Alex Song, who was fine for Europe despite his domestic ban. He replaced Denilson as the defensive midfielder.

To borrow a phrase from Sir Alex Ferguson, this was ‘squeaky bum time’ for Arsenal. That 2-1 defeat at Porto had left both sides with potential for progression so the tie began on a knife-edge.

Wenger’s side had been their own worst enemies in Portugal three weeks ago. Now they were back amongst friends they had to take advantage.

And that is exactly what they did in a comprehensive first half performance.

Arsenal were simply irresistible in the opening stages. They pinned Porto back in their own area and threw themselves into the act of finding the opening goal.

Nasri had an early effort blocked and, from Bacary Sagna’s swirling cross, Arshavin’s bullet header forced Helton to bat the ball beyond his own post.

Arsenal clearly fancied the job tonight and, on 10 minutes, they cashed their first pay cheque.

Almunia’s long clearance was nodded back to Nasri by Arshavin. The little Russian then turned on his heels and raced into the area to receive the Frenchman’s return pass. Just as Arshavin reached the ball so did keeper Helton and covering defender Nuno Coelho. Their collision saw the ball slither out to Bendtner, who gleefully stabbed home. It was just the tonic the Dane required.

It did his team no harm either.

After the euphoria of the goal had subsided, Helton was still receiving treatment. The Brazilian stopper had been accidentally clipped by Arshavin in his follow through.

Diaby fired over from a right wing corner as Arsenal started their search for an immediate second then, midway through the half, Arshavin’s low driven cross flew undisturbed across the face of the area.

By now, Porto were stirring. Hulk and Falcao had seen long-range shots smothered meanwhile, on another occasion, Silvestre Varela had escaped dangerously on the right of the area.

However if Arsenal had shot themselves in the foot at Estadio do Dragao three weeks ago, Porto’s aim was equally errant in the 25th minute.

There was nothing on when Diaby lost the ball on the left and Fucile seemed seeing it out for a throw. However at the last minute the midfielder changed his mind and swiveled a pass forward.

However he only found Arshavin. The Russian weaved a route past three defenders before cutting the ball back for the unmarked Bendtner to stab home.

In a tie of bizarre goals this one just about topped the lot!

Until now, Arshavin had been architect of Arsenal’s lead. But, 11 minutes before the break, he got his angles all wrong. Nasri sprinted through the Porto area to reach the byline. His cut back went through the legs of Rolando and found Arshavin who thumped his effort high over the bar.

Seven minutes from the whistle, Hulk robbed Clichy on the right thumped an angled shot into the chest of Almunia.

But although Porto knew they had to start pushing forward, their attacks were sporadic.

Just before the break Bendtner tried to curl home his hat-trick goal but Helton tipped the ball unconvincingly around the post. From the corner, the 31-year-old redeemed himself with a sharp, low stop from Diaby’s header.

In injury time, Nasri forced another decent save from Helton. The Porto keeper had been overworked in the opening half and Arsenal had just the advantage they needed.

The visitors tried to change the game after the break. They threw on striker Christian Rodriguez for defender Coelho and started to push forward.

It made a difference.

For the first time on the night, the visitors built up a head of steam. Although Song’s long shot forced a fumble from Helton, Falcao had already done the same thing to Almunia. Meanwhile Hulk was making hay down the left.

Arsenal were starting to get nervy. On the hour Rodriguez’s header was nudged into the hands of Almunia by Nasri, who was standing on the far post.

Three minutes later, the Frenchman would kill the tie.

When Diaby tapped a pass to Nasri on the right, the 22-year-old was faced with three defenders.

He decided to go through them. Bobbing and weaving he found a path between all three before planting a low drive just inside the far post.

It was perhaps the goal of the season.

Then, with Porto still reeling, Arsenal grabbed a fourth. The home side cleared a corner and Arshavin won the ball in midfield before sprinting straight at an undermanned visiting defence. The 28-year-old waited for Eboue to overtake him and then weighted his pass superbly. The Ivorian skipped past the keeper and put Arsenal into the last eight.

His work done, Arshavin was replaced by Walcott.

By now Porto were spent. The Englishman had a shot blocked and Sagna fired over. In injury time, Eboue was brought down and Bendtner stroked home from the spot.

It was the last kick of the game. Arsenal were through and the Dane was utterly redeemed.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, koora

ARSENAL vs BURNLEY 3-1

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs BURNLEY 3-1

DATE : March 06th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

By Richard Clarke

Theo Walcott scored the all-important goal as Arsenal beat Burnley 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday to draw level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

Cesc Fabregas fired the home side into a first-half lead but then hobbled off before the break. As a result his participation against Porto on Tuesday night may be in the balance.

However Arsenal kept their composure and should have seen off the Turf Moor team long before they equalised through David Nugent five minutes after half-time.

Walcott, who had come under fire for his England performance in midweek, gave the home side the lead 10 minutes later with a classy finish. Arsenal created a barrel-load of chances all afternoon but they only felt truly comfortable when substitute Andrey Arshavin fired home in injury time.

Like last week, this was a vital win tainted by an important injury.

However Arsenal's title bid remains on target.

It was almost a week since Aaron Ramsey had broken his leg but the issue was clearly still lodged deep in Arsenal hearts. The side came out with "Get Well Soon Aaron" on specially-made T-shirts meanwhile a banner in the crowd urged the players to "Do it for Rambo".

The absence of Ramsey and the suspension of Alex Song had created vacancies in midfield. The fit-again Denilson (calf) came in for the Cameroon international while Samir Nasri was moved into the centre to replace Ramsey. Tomas Rosicky returned on the left.

Sol Campbell (groin) was switched for Mikael Silvestre at centre half meanwhile there was rotation at right back with Bacary Sagna dropping out and Emmanuel Eboue dropping back. Walcott also came back into the side.

Before that furious fallout had drawn the all the back page headlines, Arsenal had actually won a vital football match last Saturday. The visit to Stoke was seen as one of the toughest of the remaining fixtures and Wenger's men had come through at the death.

A four-goal win would put Arsenal top at the final whistle today. But any kind of victory would do. The title race was entering its final quarter and Wenger's side had a strong a case as anyone.

They certainly started this game as if they meant business.
In the opening minutes, Fabregas prodded Bendtner clear. However the Dane was under pressure and his shot was deflected wide. From the corner resulting corner Rosicky drifted a volley just wide.

Although Clarke Carlisle's header tested Manuel Almunia in response, Arsenal's start had been as bright as the watery sunshine around Emirates Stadium this afternoon. And once again, Walcott was a livewire on the right.

In fact that flank was Arsenal's best outlet in the opening stages. After 14 minutes, Eboue's elaborate backheel allowed Fabregas to fire across the face of goal.

It seemed that the home side would take over but they didn't. In fact Burnley troubled Almunia a couple of times from distance through Daniel Fox and Martin Paterson.

The second of those efforts came after a long delay after Nasri collided with Burnley keeper Brian Jensen. The Frenchman would recover and, in the 34th minute, supply the opening goal.

Faced with the massed ranks of the Burnley defence, the former Marseilles man chipped through an expert pass for Fabregas to collect. The captain timed his run to perfection and volleyed home adroitly. The Spaniard's goal ratio is now better than one goal every two games this season.

It should have 2-0 a minute later. Fabregas slid a pass to Eboue who was overlapping on the right. He cut the ball back but the sliding Bendtner skewed the ball wide.

It would be the last contribution Fabregas made this afternoon. He pulled up shortly afterwards and was replaced by Abou Diaby. With Porto arriving on Tuesday for a knife-edge Champions League tie, Wenger will be a worried man during the next couple of days.

The loss effected Arsenal until the break but they were renewed after it. Again Walcott was the architect.
First he sent over a deep cross that an unmarked Bendtner nodded wide from eight yards out. Then the England man raced into space and fired inches over the bar.

Arsenal's second seemed to be minutes away so Burnley's equaliser was nothing short of a shock. The home side cleared a corner and Leon Cort's long, bouncing header somehow found Nugent in the area. The ex-England striker flicked a shot over Almunia and into the net. Except for a pocket of Burnley fans in one corner, Emirates was aghast.

Walcott was still Arsenal's best option and he did his best to remedy the situation. First he set up Bendtner then he tried himself only for Jensen to turn the ball wide.

On the hour, he finally found the net.

Bendtner nudged a pass to Walcott on the right. The 20-year-old cut inside Fox and fired a low, left-foot shot into the far corner. It might have been only his second goal of the season but the strike smacked of class.

Arsenal immediately went in search of another. They clearly did not want to be caught out once again.

Andrey Arshavin, who had replaced Rosicky, fired wide. Meanwhile Bendtner seemed to have embarked on his own individual crusade for a goal. The Dane was having a hit-and-miss afternoon but his tenacity was admirable.

He should have scored at the far post from Walcott's low cross but could only fire wide. Then he chased down is own mistake and eventually thumped a rising shot in the arms of Jensen.

When he was replaced by Eduardo with 15 minutes left, Bendtner got a rousing reception.

The Croatian should have killed the game with 12 minutes left but, from another Walcott cross, he nudged the ball beyond the far post.

The narrowness of the lead fired Burnley's optimism in the latter stages. They kept going and stretched the Arsenal defence at times, however Almunia was only troubled once.

In the dying minutes, Fox fired over the corner and the keeper's punch fell to Steven Thompson who fired over the bar. A massive opportunity.

Arsenal were still creating, and missing their own. Seconds later Arshavin sidefooted wide. In injury time, the Russian finally ended the argument with a low drive.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, pakman, waldek83_1983, MacGuyver

STOKE CITY vs ARSENAL 1-3

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

STOKE CITY vs ARSENAL 1-3

DATE : February 27th, 2010
VENUE : Britannia Stadium

ARSENAL GOAL :
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner - 32" or Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Cesc Fabregas (pen) - 90" or Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Thomas Vermaelen - 90" or Here

STOKE CITY GOAL :
Download Stoke City Goal by Pugh - 8" or Here

EXTRA :
Aaron Ramsey Bad Injury Video or Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Stoke City vs Arsenal Full Match First Half or Mirror Here or Here
Download Stoke City vs Arsenal Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here or Here

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Stoke City vs Arsenal Highlights or Here

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal moved within three points of leaders Chelsea with a sensational 3-1 comeback at Stoke on Saturday.

However in the process Aaron Ramsey picked up a nasty-looking injury.

The visitors began the afternoon in familiar fashion. Rory Delap fired across a ninth-minute throw-in and Danny Pugh steered home a header at the far post.

It was the third successive time they had conceded via the Irishman's unique talents in the early stages at the Britannia Stadium.

This time, however, Arsenal's response was magnificent. They fought their way back into the game and then imposed their football.

Nicklas Bendtner guided home a header to equalise just after the half-hour. The visitors continued to dominate for the remainder of the half and the start of the second.

They seemed set to take over when in the 65th minute Ryan Shawcross flew into a tackle with Ramsey. The Welshman was stretchered off, the Englishman sent off.

Wenger later described the injury as a "bad fracture'. The whole situation was worryingly reminiscent of Eduardo's injury at Birmingham two seasons ago.

The incident threatened to stifle Arsenal's revival. They came into the game with a chance of making up significant ground following Manchester City's win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the day.

In the final minute, Pugh handled Alex Song's through-ball and Fabregas kept a cool head to slot home the penalty. In injury time, Thomas Vermaelen stumbled home a third from a few feet out.

It was the cue for intense, emotional celebrations from visiting fans.

Arsenal won three key points this afternoon but, at the same time, they have lost an important talent in their increasingly realistic title bid.

By kick-off, Chelsea's defeat at home to Manchester City had been fully digested. The Stamford Bridge encounter was a lunchtime affair while this one began in the early evening. The sound of opportunity knocking must have reached the Arsenal dressing room in the intervening time.

However, in a footballing sense, the Britannia Stadium is arguably the most inhospitable environment you could find in the Premier League.

Arsenal had been well-beaten twice on this ground in the past 14 months. Another defeat, especially in such opportunistic circumstances, would severely dent their title hopes. But of course, victory would do exactly the opposite.

With William Gallas (calf) still out, Wenger swapped Mikael Silvestre for Sol Campbell at centre half. Bacary Sagna returned at right back so Emmanuel Eboue moved forward. Theo Walcott dropped to the bench.

Each of Arsenal's recent defeats had been set up by early goals from Delap throw-ins. The issue had been much-discussed in the build-up to this game but, despite that, Arsenal were caught out in replica fashion after only nine minutes.

This time, the Irishman's Exocet was nodded on by Shawcross at the near post and Pugh arrived unmarked at the far post to steer home a stooping header.

It was an all too familiar tale.

Chances were scarce in the following 15 minutes, every Delap throw-in was greeted with cheers by the home crowd and trepidation by the Arsenal defence. However from then on they always muddled the ball out and kept Stoke to one blocked effort from Ricardo Fuller
.
Arsenal seemed intimidated and needed time to gather themselves.

In the 25th minute, Fabregas tried his luck from range and a hesitant Thomas Sorensen batted the ball around his right-hand post. A couple of corners later the Spaniard nearly floated an effort towards the top corner with the keeper worried.

It seemed that Arsenal had finally found their feet and, more importantly, their passing game. But that had only come about by matching Stoke's strength.

Gael Clichy and Vermaelen had physically rolled up their sleeves on a bitterly cold Staffordshire night. The rest of the team had done the same thing mentally.

The visitors began to pepper the Stoke penalty area. The home side coped with most of them but the persistent pressure gradually drew them into their shell.

An exquisite Arsenal goal only helped that process.

Fabregas floated in a cross from the right flank for Bendtner, who kept both his balance and his wits about him to guide a gorgeous header back past Sorensen.

The visitors were vibrant. Eboue, Ramsey and Fabregas continued to play purposeful patterns just outside the home penalty. Only a stray Stoke leg or, in fairness, well-timed tackle prevented Arsenal taking their lead.

Fabregas fired a free-kick into the wall five minutes before half time. It was a poor return for all their dominance after the equaliser but it was more than Stoke had mounted.

When the half-time whistle blew, Arsenal were in the ascendancy.

The trend continued after the break with Ramsey having a half-shout for a penalty in the opening minutes when he tumbled under challenge from Abdoulaye Faye.

As the hour approached, Arsenal were still pinning Stoke back into their own area.

In the 58th minute, Eboue fired in a rocked-fuelled effort from 25 yards and, yet again, Sorensen was somewhat unconvincing as he tipped the ball over the bar.

A couple of minutes later Song was booked. It was his 10th domestic caution of the season and means he will miss two games.

But much, much, much worse was to come.

In the 65th minute, Ramsey and Shawcross flew into a challenge. The Welshman was left crumpled in a heap and received immediate medical attention. The Stoke defender was shown a straight red card. The Arsenal players were distraught, particularly Vermaelen. It was a horrid echo of Eduardo's broken leg at Birmingham two seasons ago.

Rosicky replaced Ramsey and the game got underway again. However the atmosphere was flat.
Wenger brought on Walcott and Eduardo. The latter should have scored with three minutes left. Song scooped a pass forward and the Croatian lashed a shot wide from eight yards out. Given Ramsey's injury, the goal would have been ironic and important in equal measure.

However Arsenal were now beating on Stoke's back door. They got their chance to break through with 50 seconds of normal time remaining. Bendtner tried to clip the ball through but it hit Pugh's outstretched hand.

Fabregas had missed against Stoke in the match against Emirates Stadium. This time he fired low to Sorensen's left. The keeper guessed rightly but the ball found the corner. It was the Spaniard's 16th goal of the campaign.

The captain raced to the away fans and roared his celebration. They responded in kind.

A couple of minutes later, there was a repeat performance when Sorensen spilled a shot and Fabregas turned the ball back for Vermaelen to, almost unknowingly, stab the ball home from close range.

This was a magnificent, potentially, season-changing win. But it had come at a heavy price.

Thanks to footballars, kaka3126, wigan88, kc123, arsenal 4-ever, fred54, junior_zanetti, rossonery, reMad

ARSENAL vs SUNDERLAND 2-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs SUNDERLAND 2-0

DATE : Pebruary 20th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL GOALS :
Download Arsenal Goal by Niklas Bendtner - 27" or Mirror Here
Download Arsenal Goal by Cesc Fabregas (pen) - 90" or Mirror Here

FULL MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 1
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 2
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 3
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 4
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 5
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 6
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 7
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 8

Other Source :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 1
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 2
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 3
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Part. 4

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Arsenal vs Sunderland Highlights Match

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Before kick-off against Sunderland, Arsenal needed a win and Nicklas Bendtner needed a goal.

Both got what they wanted this afternoon.

The Dane slotted home the all-important opener in the 27th minute following fine work from Emmanuel Eboue. It was only his second Premier League goal of an injury-hit campaign and provided the platform for his team to get over that midweek disappointment in Portugal.

This was a simple, straightforward victory. Sunderland had a couple of clear-cut chances but they should have been buried by an Arsenal side in full flow. However the tension remained until Cesc Fabregas scored a penalty in injury time.

Still no matter. With Manchester United losing at Everton, Wenger's team are now two points adrift of the second-placed side. They are still six shy of leaders Chelsea, who won comfortably at Wolves.

But Arsenal will not be shaken off in the title race just yet.

Wenger performed major surgery on the side beaten 2-1 at Porto on Wednesday. The dangers of Champions League lethargy had been clearly demonstrated at Goodison Park half-hour earlier, and the Frenchman clearly wanted to freshen his team.

OK the return of Manuel Almunia (finger) and Alex Song (knee) from injuries meant Lukas Fabianski and Denilson dropped to the bench. In addition Abou Diaby, who had collected a knee problem in Porto, was replaced by Aaron Ramsey. But Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna and Sol Campbell were rested in favour of Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Eboue and Mikael Silvestre.

If Wenger's squad was as thin as many suggested then we would find out this afternoon.

In truth, the first half was barely a test. Arsenal ended it leading by just one goal but their domination was almost total. They started at a bracing pace and, barring one major chance, never looked like loosening their grip.

The one-way traffic began in the fourth minute when Fabregas carved a pass into the path of Walcott. He was in a foot race with George McCartney. No contest. The Arsenal winger sprinted himself a yard clear and fired inches past the far post.

Shortly afterwards Samir Nasri raced down the left and his cross so nearly found the climbing Bendtner. Then, from a short corner, the Frenchman's angled drive hit McCartney and bounced narrowly wide.

Arsenal's pace, both individually and collectively, was troubling Sunderland. In the 15th minute Walcott chased down and then muscled off McCartney but with little help available could only fire straight at Craig Gordon. Bendtner flashed the rebound inches wide of the far post.

The Dane was now fully recovered from his groin injury and starting to provide the muscular presence the team required. However, on a personal front, Bendtner needed the confidence of a goal.

That should have come in the 17th minute when a flowing move down the right ended with Fabregas tapping a simple pass to the unmarked striker. He took a touch and let fly. However McCartney slid in to deflect the ball high on the bar.

Silvestre booted the ball clear after Fraser Campbell's half-blocked shot ran loose in the area. However Arsenal were utterly in control of this game and attacking at will.

Sunderland's defence lacked nothing in terms of commitment but their organisation this afternoon was awful. It was little wonder they had spiralled down the table in recent months.

You thought they could not last for long... and they didn't.

In the 27th minute, Eboue, who had enjoyed a sparkling start at right back, darted between McCartney and Darren Bent then divided the same pair with a low cross to the far post. The unmarked Bendtner tapped home with simplicity and then, quite rightly, he ran straight to Eboue to celebrate.

Arsenal looked to capitalise on Sunderland's troubles and continued to pour forward. It nearly cost them a goal in the 39th minute when Kieran Richardson's pass split the Arsenal defence and Jones went one-on-one with Almunia. The Trinidad international waited until he could see the whites of the keeper's eyes but failed to hold his nerve. He dragged his effort horribly wide.

Just before the whistle, Walcott, who was enjoying a fine first half, nearly found Bendtner but the sprawling Gordon intervened.

The only nagging concern from the first half was the slender lead Arsenal's comprehensive display had produced. After the restart, Wenger's side tried to remedy that with some urgency.

Fabregas drifted a free-kick through the area, past the diving Vermaelen and, unfortunately for Arsenal, just beyond the far post. Walcott then saw a low shot turned around the same upright by Gordon.

Just past the hour, Walcott was brought down just outside the area and Vermaelen's free-kick was punched clear by Gordon.

Arsenal's were still threatening a second but there remained a certain vulnerability to long balls over the top. In the 63rd minute Gordon's clearance was nodded on by Jones for Bent. Silvestre tailed the Englishman and Almunia stood up well to block his shot from point-blank range. Sunderland claimed Bent had been hauled back.

Still, it was a crucial save and, if it were needed, hammered home once again the needed for a second.

Shortly afterwards, the inventive Eboue reached the byline and cut the ball back for Ramsey. The Welshman's powerful drive was deflected for a corner. In the minutes that followed, Nasri saw a shot saved and another effort fly wide.

With 15 minutes to go Sunderland might have got on level terms. Jones won the ball just outside the area and his cross was miskicked by Bent eight yards out. The Englishman was flagged offside but he had not known that at the time.

In the dying seconds, Vermaelen was somehow adjudged to have fouled Jones and, from a dangerous position, substitute Bolo Zenden fired his free-kick against the wall.

Injury time was looking like being fast and intense before Campbell fouled Fabregas on the right of the area. The captain slotted home his 15th goal of the campaign from the spot.

At last, Arsenal could breathe easily.

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FC PORTO VS ARSENAL 2-1

Labels: Champions League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal went down 2-1 at Porto in controversial fashion on Wednesday night.

They trailed after just 11 minutes of this Champions League Knockout Round first leg when keeper Lukasz Fabianski fumbled Silvestre Valera's cross over his own line.

However they got back on level terms almost immediately when Sol Campbell, playing his first Champions League game since the 2006 Final, nodded in from close range.

It had been an open, nerve-jangling first half but the visitors seemed set to take over after the break. They would probably have led if Tomas Rosicky's strong claims for a penalty had been heard.

In the end the result swung on the events of the 51st minute. That is when Fabianski was ruled to have picked up Campbell's back pass and Falcao scored from a quickly-taken free-kick. Arsenal, and particularly Arsène Wenger, complained loudly that the referee should not have allowed play to restart that swiftly.

Right or wrong, that decision will be the lasting memory of this game.

Of course, Wenger's side can all but erase it if they secure safe passage to the last eight with a stereotypical "1-0 to the Arsenal".

That is all they have to do.

Their fate will be in their own hands on March 9 even if it did not always seem that way this evening.

Wenger's team selection had been hemmed in by a run of injuries in the build up to this game. From the team that had won 1-0 against Liverpool a week earlier, Manuel Almunia (finger), William Gallas (calf), Andrey Arshavin (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) all dropped out.

Meanwhile a lingering hamstring problem meant Eduardo did not make his anticipated return.

The upshot of all this was that Campbell made only his second start since return to the Club. Fabianski and Denilson return to their familiar roles while Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky flanked the spearhead striker, Nicklas Bendtner.

Arsenal arrived with troubled memories of Estadio do Dragao. In 2006 they had limped through their group with a goalless draw on Matchday Six. Last season, they had been beaten 2-0 in a meaningless rubber.

Since then Porto had continued their policy of summer sales. Their team this evening had important differences but then, given their injuries, Arsenal were much-changed too.
In the circumstances, everyone expected a cautious, cagey affair.

Everyone was wrong.

In the opening exchanges, Arsenal might have conceded twice. They recovered slightly then did go behind in the 11th minute.

It started in the third minute. Falcao motored past Campbell on the left but the Englishman recovered to slide the ball from under the Columbian's feet as he was about to shoot.

It fell to Ruben Michel just outside the area. He got away a fierce shot but by that time Thomas Vermaelen had recovered his position. The Belgian made a crucial block.

Worse was to come. Seconds later Valera stormed down the right and his deflected cross fell to Hulk, who dragged a shot inches past the far post.

Arsenal were away from home, understrength and under pressure. They needed a release.

Nasri did his best to provide it. In the fifth minute he cut through the Porto defence and fed Fabregas eight yards out only for Bruno Alves to prod the ball behind at the vital moment. Seconds later the Frenchman toe-poked an effort forward but Helton held on.

It seemed that Arsenal had come through unscathed after an early assault.

However they then conceded a self-inflicted goal.

Once again Valera attacked down the Porto right. The 23-year-old skipped past his marker and, once again, had time to pick out his target.

Fabianski moved out to anticipate a ball into the heart of the area. But, intended or not, Valera's cross was fired directly across the goal just two yards out. It meant Fabianski had to dive back from where he had just come and attempt to shovel the ball away. Unfortunately the Polish international could only fumble the ball over the line. A horrible-looking goal to concede.

In fairness, Arsenal's recovered almost immediately.

Bendtner whistled a deflected shot inches wide of the angle in the 16th minute. Fabregas raced over to take the corner. The captain was clearly in an urgent mood this evening.

His kick was flicked on by Vermaelen to Rosicky at the far post. The Czech midfielder nodded the ball back into the danger area and Campbell headed home from three yards out.

It was an enormous goal. Away goals in Europe always are but this one settled Arsenal after the shakiest of starts.

Rosicky's rasping cross-shot forced Helton into a full-length save a couple of minutes later. Clearly the visitors now fancied the job.

Fabianski redeemed himself somewhat by pawing away a shot from Micael and then clutching a high, hanging free-kick in the midst of a crowded area.

The liberty of opening half-hour had now been shackled. It was still a decent, attacking game but the opening stages had been reminiscent of the last 10 minutes of an FA Cup replay not the start of a crucial two-legged Champions League tie.

In the 35th minute, Fabregas floated over a free-kick and Bendtner's back header forced the backtracking Helton to tip the ball over the bar. It had been a hell of a half but Arsenal finished it in the ascendancy.

The second period started the same way, Bendtner hacked over the bar and then Rosicky had strong claims for a penalty after Varela chopped him down on the right of the area.

But once again Arsenal undid their own good work. In the 51st minute, Fabianski was adjudged to have picked up a backpass from Campbell and Porto were awarded a free-kick just inside the area. The referee demanded the keeper return the ball immediately and, with Arsenal undermanned and ill-prepared, the kick was squared to Falcao who gleefully tapped home.

It was a highly controversial goal. The key was whether the referee had indicated the kick could be taken quickly. Wenger certainly felt that had not happened and the manager was ticked off by the official before play restarted.

Arsenal were on their uppers again. Hulk and then Raul Meireles forced fine low saves from Fabianski.

But they had steadied themselves somewhat by the time Theo Walcott replaced Rosicky in the 68th minute.

Arsenal were now finding space on the flanks and asking questions of the Porto defence. But buoyed by a belligerent crowd, the home side stood firm.

Eboue replaced Nasri for the final stages and in the last minute his cross so nearly found the unmarked Fabregas five yards.

That was that type of night for Arsenal. The little things did not quite go for them.

And, of course, one very, very big moment had gone utterly against them.

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ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL 1-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL 1-0

DATE : Pebruary 10th, 2010
VENUE : Emirates Stadium

By Richard Clarke

Despite rumours to the contrary, there is life in Arsenal’s Premier League season.

Defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea in eight days left Arsène Wenger’s side playing catch-up before a crucial game with in-form Liverpool this evening.

While never at their best, a resilient Arsenal rolled up their sleeves and responded with a rejuvenating win.

The only goal came 18 minutes from time when Tomas Rosicky’s inviting cross was RSVP’d by Abou Diaby’s header at the far post.

By way of celebration, half the Arsenal side piled on top of the Frenchman.

It was relief to the power of 10.

This was Wenger’s 300th Premier League win and the 450th of his Arsenal career. But the only stat to manager cares less about is the distance between his team and top spot.

Chelsea’s defeat at Everton and Manchester United’s draw at Aston Villa mean that gap is down to six points. Meanwhile Arsenal have now opened an eight-point divide between themselves and Liverpool in fourth.

This result can not make up for the disappointments of the past two Sundays but it does suggest Wenger’s optimism has credence.

It seems we have a three-horse title race once again.

Wenger made a couple of changes from the side beaten at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Bendtner started his first game since limping off against Tottenham on October 31. The Dane was the focal point of the attack so Andrey Arshavin dropped to the left flank. Meanwhile Emmanuel Eboue was back in the starting XI for the first time since December 19. The Ivorian had come off the bench in the defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea. Before that, he had been in Ghana for the Africa Cup of Nations. As a result of those inclusions, Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna dropped to the bench.

In the early stages, the atmosphere off the pitch was indicative of results on it. The travelling fans were in full voice, the home supporters were relatively muted. Arsenal’s season had been shaken by those two successive defeats while Liverpool were unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games.

Neither side could afford defeat and that anxiety affected the opening quarter.

The opening minutes were lively enough however with the two sides exchanging half-chances from right wing free-kicks. First Steven Gerrard’s ball ricocheted off Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia had to make a flying interception then, at the other end, William Gallas nodded over from a fine delivery from Cesc Fabregas.

After that the game fell into a malaise. Arsenal had enough of the ball but perhaps there was a nagging fear of conceding on the break as they had against Chelsea and Manchester United. Certainly they were more reticent to go forward.

The chance that broke down the mental barrier came in the 20th minute. The stumbling Arshavin sent Bendtner clear on the right of the area. The Dane had a glimpse of goal but slashed his shot over the bar. Soon afterwards Nasri saw a goal-bound effort charged down for Pepe Reina flapped at a cross and Arshavin blazed over.

At the other end, Maxi Rodriguez latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and cracked his effort high.

The flurry of chances did not last. It did not help that Wenger was forced to make a change just after the half-hour. Nasri had gone to ground for no reason early on and immediately Rosicky was sent out to warm up. Eventually the French midfielder acceded to his injury.

To be honest, that was about it for the opening half. Arsenal were far from fluent and, on a freezing North London night, the first 45 minutes never got above lukewarm.

However the opening seconds of the second period would promise much more. In fact the first 15 minutes were pretty much end-to-end.

Arshavin reached the byline early on but blasted his shot high into the sidenetting. Lucas Leiva nearly found an immediate response however his fierce shot flew inches over the bar.

The chances were starting to come now yet nerves still seemed to be affecting both sides this evening. David N’gog raced clear on to Gerrard’s chip through. The Frenchman had a yard on Clichy and Gallas but the latter produced a wonderfully-timed challenge to slid the ball away at the crucial moment. Such interventions are fast becoming a trademark this season for Gallas.

Seconds later, Rosicky went clear on the left for an instant but his touch was too heavy and, just before the hour, the galloping Bendtner tried to steer home a shot only for Reina to block with his legs.

All of a sudden it seemed a game of football seemed to have broken out.

Bendtner went down under Daniel Agger’s challenge but referee Howard Webb booked the Dane for simulation. A couple of minutes later the striker laid the ball back for Rosicky to crack a drive inches over the bar.

This game was now an entirely different animal. The tension of the first half remained but invention had been added. Neither side were functioning at their best but Arsenal had the edge.

Walcott substituted Arshavin with 23 minutes left. Wenger had now replaced two of his front men and the only one remaining who was struggling for fitness.

It seemed that Bendtner would have to soldier on this evening.

And he did.

In the 72nd minute, the 22-year-old found himself surrounded and under pressure in the area but retained the presence of mind to feed a clever ball to Rosicky on the right. The Czech midfielder had time to pick his target. His chose Diaby at the far post. The Frenchman eluded his marker to power home a header. It was his seventh goal of the season and undoubtedly the most important.

In the wake of the goal, Liverpool finally threw off their shackles. They piled forward but there were only two heart-in-mouth moments before injury time – when Gerrard went down in the box and when substitute Ryan Babel slipped his marker before firing goalwards from 25 yards.

It was a dipping, swerving, curling effort but Almunia touched it on to the bar. A pivotal save.

The second half had been dramatic enough but there was one more twist.

In the dying embers of injury time Gerrard somehow won at free-kick five yards outside the area. Fabregas was booked for protesting the decision and then the Englishman’s effort hit the Spaniard’s outstretched hand as he jumped in the wall.

Liverpool complained when the whistle blew seconds later but no one could dispute the character of this victory tonight.

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CHELSEA vs ARSENAL 2-0

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH

CHELSEA vs ARSENAL 2-0

DATE : February 07th, 2010
VENUE : Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA GOAL :
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 8"
Download Chelsea Goal by Didier Drogba - 23"

FULL MATCH :
Download Chelsea vs Arsenal Full Match First Half or Mirror Here or Here
Download Chelsea vs Arsenal Full Match Second Half or Mirror Here or Here

HIGHLIGHTS MATCH :
Download Chelsea vs Arsenal Highlights or Here

MATCH REPORT :

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal have it all to do in the title race.

Sunday's 2-0 defeat in West London leaves Arsène Wenger's side nine points adrift of the Stamford Bridge outfit with just 13 games left to play.

The Chelsea goals this afternoon came, as ever, from Didier Drogba. The Ivorian touched home John Terry's header as early as the eighth minute. Arsenal had significant pressure after that but, as against Manchester United seven days earlier, they conceded a crucial second on the break.

In the 23rd minute, Frank Lampard's ball found the galloping Drogba, who cut inside and thrashed a shot past Manuel Almunia. It was his 12th goal in his last 10 games against Arsenal.

At the time, it was hard on the visitors territorially but, this afternoon, a ruthless Chelsea punished Arsenal whenever they had the opportunity and, in Drogba, they have one of the best strikers in Europe.

Only the bar denied him a hat-trick when he fired in a free-kick 10 minutes from time.

Despite this result, no-one should discount Arsenal's aspirations just yet. That happened last time they lost to Chelsea at the end of November. But the assumption was entirely wrong.

This has been a rollercoaster of title race. Expect more ups and down before May.

Wenger's side showed two important changes from the one well beaten by Manchester United a week ago.

Fit-again Abou Diaby replaced Denilson in central midfield while Theo Walcott began on the right of the attacking trio instead of Tomas Rosicky. It was only the fourth Premier League start of the season for the England international.

Apart from Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea had all their major names available.

This was a huge afternoon for Arsenal. Despite the hype, their awesome foursome of fixtures did not have to define their season - but unfortunately it seemed that it might.

The goalless draw at Villa 10 days ago had been worthy enough but the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday had been comprehensive. It poured pressure on today, the hardest fixture of the quartet. With ever-improving Liverpool due at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal certainly needed a massive improvement from their display seven days earlier.

In fairness, they started well enough. As early as the fourth minute Bacary Sagna clipped a cross to Fabregas in the D. He fed Nasri and the Frenchman fired wide from the left of the area.

Until their opening goal, Chelsea had only caused Arsenal minor scares. But the strike would prove to be a telling moment.

Gael Clichy bumped Anelka on the right and Drogba fired in the free kick. Walcott nodded it behind for a corner that Florent Malouda floated to Terry. The Chelsea captain rose highest and powered a header toward the far post where Drogba touched home.

Despite the goal, the visitors went on to enjoy the lion's share of possession and territory. They won a succession of corners and, in the 16th minute, should have equalised. Fabregas found space on the right and floated an angled pass to Arshavin. The Russian met the ball with a powerful, sidefoot volley from eight yards. It was too close to Cech, who kicked the ball away.

Arsenal were playing well. Their tails were up and they fancied the job.

Then they got caught on the break.

Lampard carried the ball clear from another Arsenal attack. Drogba latched on to his pass and roared up the right. He cut inside Clichy and Vermaelen before thumping home from eight yards out. It was a great finish but, on the balance of play, it was a stolen goal.

In response, Fabregas fired wide after another promising move but by now Chelsea's cushion was making them more expansive. Ashley Cole burst through into the area only to be bundled off the ball by the backtracking Walcott.

Until the break, Arsenal soldiered on but, as ever, Chelsea's defending was excellent. Throughout the first half, the visitors had got in promising positions but only once had they truly tested Cech.

Wenger's men had been losing at the interval in this fixture last season but came back to win. They attempted a repeat job straight away when Diaby cracked an effort wide and just before the hour Nasri burst through only to be denied by Ashley Cole on the edge of the area. However, in between, those efforts Drogba set up Malouda to drive narrowly wide.

Once again, Arsenal were cranking up the pressure and penning back Chelsea. Wenger added to that anxiety by withdrawing Walcott and bringing on Nicklas Bendtner. As a result, Arshavin dropped to the left and Nasri went right.

Almost immediately after coming on, the Dane was clipped by Ricardo Carvalho just outside the area. Fabregas fired in a low free-kick that went through the wall but was beaten away by Cech. An excellent save given the keeper would have seen the ball only after it had emerged through a thicket of legs in a crowded area.

Then Wenger threw on Rosicky and Eboue for Diaby and Sagna. But by now Chelsea seemed comfortable with their cushion once more.

Ten minutes from time, Drogba cracked a free-kick against the bar from 25 yards and then Anelka hacked a shot high.

It was an indication that Arsenal's challenge had wained. At the whistle, the visitors could only lament what might have been had they taken their chances... and Chelsea had been less lethal.

Wenger's side are not out of the title race but their ascent must now be super steep.

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ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED 1-3

Labels: Premiership League Match, Season 2009/2010, Video

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal suffered a major blow to their title hopes by losing 3-1 to Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsène Wenger's side were undone in the first half when Manuel Almunia touched home a cross from Nani then Wayne Rooney grabbed another on the break eight minutes from half-time.

Any chance of a revival seemed to be extinguished when Ji-Sung Park sprinted clear and slotted home in the 52nd minute.

Thomas Vermaelen's strike hinted at some sort of comeback with 10 minutes remaining however Arsenal could muster no more.

This defeat leaves Wenger's men five points adrift of leaders Chelsea and four behind their conquerors this afternoon. With over a third of the season to go that gap is still very catchable however Arsenal have only taken one point from the opening two fixtures in their ‘awesome foursome' and that is a concern.

Still Manchester United did not win the title last year because they bested the Big Four. Maybe Arsenal can do the same thing.

A win at Chelsea next Sunday will do much to repair the damage to Wenger's side this afternoon. Right now it may seem fanciful but it is no more than they got last season.

Defeat, however, may leave an unbridgeable divide between Arsenal and the top two.

The pre-match team-sheet was a matter of major concern for the home supporters. At Villa on Wednesday, Thomas Vermaelen had hobbled off in the first half. In his post-match press conference that night, Wenger had said, best case, it could be nothing to worry about but, worst case, it was a broken leg. It turned out to be the former but his involvement in this game was still a massive doubt. In the end he played and his potential deputy, Sol Campbell, did not make the bench.

There was also a question mark over Alex Song. The midfielder was not injured. The issue was fatigue after the rigours of the Africa Cup of Nations. He too started while Emmanuel Eboue, who had been on duty with the Ivory Coast at the same tournament, was named as a substitute. Aaron Ramsey dropped to the bench to accommodate Song. Samir Nasri, the two-goal hero in this fixture last season, replaced the injured Eduardo.

Of course, Arsenal v Manchester United is not capable of being a mundane affair. Games between the two sides had maybe lost some meaning in title terms over recent years however the importance of this one was undisputable. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea had all led the Premier League in the past 10 days. This was a proper three-horse race and Wenger's men would be facing the other two in the next eight days.

The pre-match tension around Emirates Stadium suggested that everyone knew it was time to deliver.

Arsenal were the first to show. In the third minute, Wes Brown nodded the ball into the path of the scampering Arshavin on the left. He teased the Manchester United defence before curling a shot beyond the far post.

However the visitors already seemed to have an ominous quality about them today and they would create a couple of dangerous opportunities down the right in the minutes that followed.

In the eighth minute, Darren Fletcher raced forward on the overlap. His low cross went through Vermaelen and was inadvertently cleared by Wayne Rooney with William Gallas in close attendance.

A minute later they would create another chance in an identical position. After escaping Clichy, Nani found himself in acres of space on the right. He had time to look up before cutting the ball back. Once again it was played at pace across the face of goal. Only the intervention of Song stopped Michael Carrick slotting home at the far post.

Arsenal had yet to settle. But just before the quarter-hour, Arshavin was on the end of another lightning attack down the left. Again he cut inside Brown and went for curler towards the far post. It was inches wide.

The Russian was back in the central attacking role and appeared to be relishing it. He was certainly heavily involved. Midway through the half, Fabregas strode through the midfield, shrugged off Paul Scholes and fed Arshavin. Once again he fooled his marker only this time he miscued his effort horribly.

You thought Arsenal were gradually working their way into the game. But, in fact, the visitors would impose themselves once more.

Only a wonderful interception from Gallas prevented Paul Scholes going clear inside the area then Ji-Sung Park's cross was deflected into the path of Nani on the right of the area but the Portuguese midfielder drove wide.

The 23-year-old was having an eye-catching game and it was no surprise that he was behind the opening goal. He flicked the ball between Clichy and Nasri on the right-hand touchline then danced past Denilson to reach the byline once more. You can only assume that Nani was trying to reach a couple of players at the far post when he clipped the ball high over Almunia. The keeper tried to tip it over but only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net.

The goal had been coming but Arsenal were still stung. Fabregas saw his drive diverted by a stray leg in a crowded area then Arshavin set up Gallas but his path was blocked. Manchester United pounced on the ball and spread it quickly to Nani on the right. He found Rooney scampering through the midfield and the England striker swept home his 20th Premier League goal of the campaign. Arsenal had been caught by the classic breakaway goal they'd put the patent on in the Wenger era.

The sliding Arshavin rifled a shot past the post shortly afterwards however, five minutes from the break Manchester United should have added a third. Rooney cut the ball back from the left-hand byline and Scholes helped it on to the unmarked Nani just inside the area. His drive was deflected past the far post by Vermaelen.

Song bundled through in injury time and drove a shot past the post. At the break, Arsenal needed an injection of composure, guile and steel.

But there would be no panacea.

In fact, seven minutes after the restart, Park made the home side feel even more sickly. Fletcher lofted the ball over the high line the Arsenal defence were holding and the Korean scampered through. Rooney was racing to join the attack and that drew Clichy's attention. The Frenchman was left covering both players and so Park toyed with the idea of a pass. However in the end the Manchester United midfielder went for it alone and fired low into the bottom left-hand corner.

It seemed to be the killer goal.

Arsenal did what they could to respond. Fabregas fired inches over and Song stretched Edwin van der Sar. The Cameroon international also cracked an effort just wide.

They were all worthy efforts but were all from distance. You sensed that, with a 3-0 goal advantage, Manchester United were happy to let Arsenal try their luck from that range.

On the hour, Wenger made an attacking substitution - Theo Walcott for Denilson. Ten minutes later, he threw on Bendtner and Eboue for Rosicky and Nasri.

The pattern was now set for the remainder of the game. Arsenal would have ample possession and press forward, Manchester United would soak up everything and take what they could on the break.

Sixteen minutes from they time, that tactic nearly saw them grab a fourth. Rooney went marauding across the halfway line and then sprinted clear as Eboue stumbled. Fortunately for Arsenal he dragged his shot wide.

The game seemed to be limping to a conclusion when Arsenal scored. With 11 minutes left, Fabregas fed a quick free-kick to Nasri on the left. His high, hanging cross was nodded out by Jonny Evans to Vermaelen just outside the area and the Belgian hooked home a shot via the leg of the Irishman.

Suddenly we had a game again. Fabregas floated over a corner and Walcott saw his header booted away by Evans.

Gallas should have set-up a grandstand finish but, in the dying seconds of normal time, he sent a backward header wide when he only had Van der Sar to beat.

However before that, Almunia's weak clearance nearly handed Nani the goal he deserved then, deep into injury time, Rooney slid a shot inches past the far post.

Emirates Stadium was understandably muted a full time, except for a pocket of travelling fans in the away end.

They had much to celebrate. Meanwhile Arsenal must simply steel themselves for next Sunday.

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